Serpenticobitis

Serpenticobitis is a genus of very small, schmerlenartiger freshwater fish that is found in the basin of the Mekong River in Southeast Asia.

Features

Serpenticobitis species are 3.9 to 5.4 cm long and have a for Schmerlenartige unusually squat, cylindrical body. The head is small, rounded snout, small mouth at the time. Upper and lower lips are fleshy and grown together. The lower lip shows a few wrinkles, is centered but not interrupted. The fish have three pairs Bartel, two on the rostrum and one in the maxilla. A large, bicuspid sting sits just below the eye. The front nose opening opens in a flap-like tube. The beginning of the dorsal fin is located in front of the pelvic fin base. The pelvic fins are pointing downwards. Breast and pelvic fins have a sting in each case. The caudal fin is slightly forked. The air-bladder is made of two parts which are interconnected by a connecting channel, the manubrium. Serpenticobitis species show a pattern 7-9 vertical dark stripes. All fins have conspicuous rows of dots. A large, clearly visible spot is centered on the caudal fin base.

• Fins formula: Dorsal 11-12, Anal 8
• Vertebrae: 33 - 35

Species

There are three types, which are distinguished by their color.

• Serpenticobitis cingulata Roberts, 1997
• Serpenticobitis octozona Roberts, 1997
• Serpenticobitis zonata Kottelat, 1998

System

Serpenticobitis was placed in the first description in the loach family ( Cobitidae ), but later also the fins suckers ( Balitoridae ) or the Bachschmerlen ( Nemacheilidae ) assigned. 2012, Kottelat for the genus to the family Serpenticobitidae.